Pune News: Special Drive Targets 2,183 Motorists For Modified Silencers In Last 12 Days
Pune, 20th February 2024: In an ongoing special drive that commenced on February 7, Pune traffic police have issued fines to a total of 2,183 motorcyclists found using modified silencers on their two-wheelers. This stern action aims to curb the rising issue of noise and sound pollution caused by such modifications.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Shashikant Borate highlighted the concerns, stating, “Motorists using modified silencers are creating sound and noise pollution, causing public nuisance. We’ve been consistently receiving complaints about groups of motorcyclists driving late at night, disrupting the peace.”
Borate emphasized the impact on specific groups, saying, “These errant motorists are not only a nuisance for school and college students but also for the elderly and pedestrians. We’ve observed disturbances in silent zones during the night when there is no traffic police presence. To address this, we initiated a special drive against such offenders.”
The police have taken a proactive stance, considering the submission of a proposal to the RTO, Pune, suggesting the cancellation of driving licenses for motorists caught using modified silencers for the second time.
Notably, the crackdown extends beyond fines, as police have also targeted the sources of modified silencers. Six automobile spare parts shops in the Nana Peth area received warnings to cease selling such modifications.
In a bid to deter violators, parents of youths and teenagers caught riding two-wheelers with modified silencers are being summoned. The police have escalated their response, implementing a 24-hour impoundment of motorbikes, removal of the silencers, and their subsequent destruction.
Borate clarified, “There is no provision in the Motor Vehicles Act that allows motorists to use modified silencers.” Repeat offenders face a doubled fine of Rs 2,000, and police personnel at checkpoints are actively taking action against vehicles with modified silencers.
Residents in various areas, including Koregaon Park, Baner, NIBM Road, Magarpatta, Kalyaninagar, Boat Club Road, Katraj, Lohegaon, Yerwada, Sinhagad Road, have lodged complaints about noise pollution stemming from modified silencers. Last year, 5,000 motorists were fined Rs 1,000 each for similar violations on Pune’s roads.
